On Being Overbowed

[fnshtr]

How would you determine if you are "over-bowed".

I am 61 years old and have been dropping down in weight the past few years. I used to shoot 60# without much trouble and am down to about 51#.

I can hold at full draw for 15-20 seconds... no problem. However, I notice that I shake some almost immediately.

How normal is "shaking" at full draw?

[ChuckC]

I sometimes shake when I'm not doing anything.

We all have different abilities and we all begin to lose some of those as we age.  I guess I can tell you all kinds of games to play saying "this is the way to tell", but really, if you are questioning it, maybe you are.  

Also. . .  important. . .  are you using your back ( I mean. .  really using it ) ?  I used to think I was and I felt the urge to shake on full draw.  Then I actually saw the light ( and learned how to use my back and there is really very little pressure on my arms now.

I myself, don't normally shake at full draw.
ChuckC

[longbowman]

If 100 people answer you'll get 100 answers but since we're the same age I'll give it a shot.  I've always shot and do shoot above average weights.  To me a bow is too heavy if I can't draw it and shoot it in the method I'm used to.  If I struggle to hit full draw...it's too heavy.  If I struggle when I hit full draw and feel the urge to snap shoot...it's too heavy.  I shake like a leaf with any bow UNDER 65# so I'm not sure that's a good indicator.  Being in sports all my life I've always told those I coach your body will tell you when you hit your limit and when it does we should listen!

I was told by a target coach that the shakes can happen when small muscles are doing more than they should and that is why I could shoot a 90 pound bow without shaking, but had a quiver when locking up with a 32 pound target bow.  Since then I have noticed lots of people don't shake while drawing, but do shake when they are holding.

[stabow]

This might not answer your question but it might. Sit like your in a stand for about 2 hours on a really cold day then take your shot if you can come to full draw your good.....
Don't ask how I know this.

[fnshtr]

I have no problem hitting full draw. I have also hunted this past winter, spending hours in the treestand in very cold weather... always shot before getting out of the stand in the mornings.

On one of Rick Welch's videos he says make sure you can hold full draw for several seconds. I have no problem holding... I just shake a little the whole time I'm at full draw.

Hope to shoot some lighter bows at ETAR next month. Maybe that will help me figure this out.

Thanks!

[PaulDeadringer29]

[Dave Lay]

im 61 about to hit 62 and of moderate build..  and shooting 60 lb .. I can draw it fine and hold it a while but that's not how I shoot, so not sure that means anything.. can ya draw it comfortably like you are shooting at a animal directly under ya out of a tree stand ? that is,  with the bow pointing at the ground ? seems to be a pretty good indicator ..  I never have shook although I have friends shooting low- mid 40lb bows that shake like a dog passing a peach seed...  .......dunno,   they are fit guys about of our age that have shot trad bows forever  ...

[moebow]

I find that there are normal "tremors" that develop as we age.  I have them.  It is not bow weight that causes them but an age related thing.  I find that my "shakes" are reduced if I shoot a heavier bow but with a light bow as is often used in teaching, I can experience a magnitude 7 earthquake.  The tremors do not detract from shooting and if I ignore them, accuracy is just fine.  Shoot through them/ignore.  I find a good stiff Scotch (after shooting) makes me forget about them.    

Arne

[Zradix]

Originally posted by stabow:
This might not answer your question but it might. Sit like your in a stand for about 2 hours on a really cold day then take your shot if you can come to full draw your good.....    
Don't ask how I know this.

BEEN THERE BUD!
..have the t-shirt

I can shoot 75# bows..a few times..not many.
Can shoot 65# pretty well and have fun doing it.
I hunt with 45-50#'s cause of the cold and still factor.

[fnshtr]

Originally posted by Dave Lay:
im 61 about to hit 62 and of moderate build..  and shooting 60 lb .. I can draw it fine and hold it a while but that's not how I shoot, so not sure that means anything.. can ya draw it comfortably like you are shooting at a animal directly under ya out of a tree stand ? that is,  with the bow pointing at the ground ? seems to be a pretty good indicator ..  I never have shook although I have friends shooting low- mid 40lb bows that shake like a dog passing a peach seed...  .......dunno,   they are fit guys about of our age that have shot trad bows forever  ...

Interesting thought... I actually shot a buck last fall that was almost directly under me.

Thanks for all the thoughts.

[widow sax]

I think you are good to go buddy do you usually hold that long if not I would not worry about that at all. I was shooting with a guy and he is a gap shooter and holds for ever and shakes but he can shoot very well so I do not think I would worry about it if you are shooting good.    Widow

[SELFBOW19953]

I remember reading somewhere a few/several (can't remember which) years ago, sit on a 5 gallon bucket and draw your bow.  If you have trouble drawing while sitting, you're over-bowed.  I have never shot well if I held more than a second or two.  I've missed several deer from holding while I waited for the "right" shot.

[fnshtr]

I think you are right Darren... I'll be alright.

Just to be clear... I never remain at full draw for more than a few seconds... unless I HAVE to for some reason.

I shoot off of a bucket regularly when practicing for turkey season.

Thanks all...

[creekwood]

Originally posted by moebow:
I find that there are normal "tremors" that develop as we age.  I have them.  It is not bow weight that causes them but an age related thing.  I find that my "shakes" are reduced if I shoot a heavier bow but with a light bow as is often used in teaching, I can experience a magnitude 7 earthquake.  The tremors do not detract from shooting and if I ignore them, accuracy is just fine.  Shoot through them/ignore.  I find a good stiff Scotch (after shooting) makes me forget about them.        

Arne

I think that I just became a moebow fan.  

[Kris]

 

"How normal is "shaking" at full draw?"

Everyone will shake when they hit their limit.

Almost any bow weight can constitute being over-bowed for anyone, when you are cold or the shot is out of the ordinary.

Only you can determine if you are over-bowed.  It is always more comfortable to shoot a "lighter bow".

All generalized statements...take it for what it is worth.

Kris